Light is a measurable energy source that plants requires to grow, and light is often the primary variable that determine whether a plant lives or dies. Many people assumes that a plant is dying because of a watering schedule or because the soil is incorrect, but a plant often dies because the plant isnt receiving the correct amount of light. Light is not merely a matter of brightness or darkness, but light is a specific amount of energy that a plant use to function.
A person may find that the term “bright light” are subjective, but you can measure light intensity objectively using a unit called lux. Lux measures how much light hit a specific surface, and lux allows a person to categorize light into specific zones. These light zones range from deep shade to intense direct sunlight.
How Light Affects Indoor Plants
By using lux to measure light, you can determine if a specific area of a room is a high-energy zone or a low-energy zone. For example, a sunny corner may be a high-energy zone that is suitable for a cactus, but a corner in a hallway may be a low-energy zone that are not suitable for a cactus. You must understand that light intensity decrease very quickly as you move away from a window.
A plant that a person places directly on a windowsill receives a high amount of light, but that same plant will receive a much more lower amount of light if you move the plant only a few feet away from the glass. Because light intensity drops off so quickly, a plant may receive enough light on a windowsill but may not receive enough light on a side table. Thus, the distance between the plant and the window is a critical factor in how much light the plant receives.
You can diagnose light issues by observing the foliage of the plant. If the stems of a plant become long, thin, and stretch toward the light, the plant is experiencing etiolation. Etiolation is a process where a plant stretches its stem because the plant is trying to find more light energy.
Conversely, if you see brown patches or bleached colors on the leaves, the plant is receiving too much direct light. Too much direct light can cause sun damage to the leaf tissue, and sun damage can leave permanent mark on the leaves of the plant. The orientation of a window determine the type of light a plant receives throughout the day.
An east-facing window provide soft morning light, and a north-facing window provides a consistent but dim level of light. If you have a north-facing window or a dark room, you should choose plants that can survive in low-light environments, such as the ZZ plant or the Snake Plant. These specific plant are suitable for low-light environments because these plants have evolved to live in the shade.
If a room does not have enough naturaly light, you can use artificial light to provide energy to the plants. LED grow lights is a useful tool because LED grow lights provide a full spectrum of light and LED grow lights dont produce excessive heat. Excessive heat can cause a plant to dry out too quick, so LED grow lights are beneficial because they protect the plant from drying out.
You can use a high-powered LED grow light panel for succulents, or you can use a small clip-on lamp to add more light to a dim area. Finally, you must remember that light levels change throughout the year because light levels change with the seasons. A location that provides sufficient light in July may not provide sufficient light in January.
Because the seasons change, you may need to move your plants closer to the window during the autumn month. You may also need to use a light timer to provide extra hours of artificial light during the winter months. By managing light as a changing resource, you can ensure that your plants receives the constant energy they need to grow.